Is the virtue of the opening Takbir attained by catching the recitation of the surah after Al-Fatiha with the Imam?
May Allah reward you for catching the takbirat al-ihram as long as your delay was due to a valid excuse. Scholars differ on the definition of catching the virtue of takbirat al-ihram, and the soundest opinions are: that one should be present for the Imam's takbir and immediately begin the prayer; some believe it is caught as long as the Imam has not begun Al-Fatiha; or by catching the ruku' in the first rak'ah; or by catching any part of the standing; or if one was prevented by an excuse such as completing wudu'. It appears the questioner has caught it based on the fifth opinion, because what occupied him was the desire to catch it in the first mosque.
Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026
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